Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the National Football League
That result could have created things up for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've seen this season
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was huge
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to success
The defense is solid and rookie rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored forty points to reach 7-2 before next week's major game between the two in LA
They've both won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could easily be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly among the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards